Lima Cathedral on the Plaza Mayor in the historic center of Lima
HALF DAY UNESCO HISTORIC CENTER

Lima City Tour: Colonial and Modern Lima

  • Half Day (4 hours)
  • Lima · Historic Center · Miraflores, Peru
  • From $35 USD ≈ S/ 121
Miraflores boardwalk and Lima’s Costa Verde coastline

Explore the City of Kings in half a day: the colonial historic center, the San Francisco catacombs, Huaca Pucllana and the Miraflores clifftop boardwalk.

DURATION Half Day (4 hours)
MAX ALTITUDE 154 m (Lima)
DIFFICULTY Easy
GROUP SIZE Shared group
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE

Experience Overview

Lima, once the City of Kings and capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru, is today a Pacific-facing metropolis known as the culinary capital of South America. This Lima City Tour of colonial and modern Lima spends about 4 hours exploring the city’s contrasts: its UNESCO World Heritage historic center and the modern districts of Miraflores and San Isidro.

Places you’ll visit

  • Plaza Mayor: surrounded by the Cathedral, the Government Palace, the Archbishop’s Palace and City Hall.
  • San Francisco Monastery: a gem of Lima Baroque, with its historic library and the catacombs that served as a colonial-era cemetery.
  • Balconies of Lima: the city’s famous enclosed balconies of carved wood.
  • Huaca Pucllana: an adobe pyramid built by the Lima culture (5th to 8th centuries) in the heart of Miraflores (panoramic view).
  • Love Park and the Miraflores boardwalk: views of the Costa Verde and the Pacific Ocean.
  • El Olivar in San Isidro: an olive grove planted in colonial times (panoramic view).

Tips

  • Morning (approx. 9:30 a.m.) and afternoon (approx. 2:00 p.m.) departures.
  • On the morning tour you may catch the changing of the guard at the Government Palace (around noon).
  • From June to October Lima is overcast and humid, so bring a light jacket.
  • End your day with a ceviche or a pisco sour in Miraflores or Barranco.

Signature Highlights

Lima’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
San Francisco Monastery and its colonial catacombs.
Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral and the Government Palace.
Huaca Pucllana and Love Park in Miraflores.
Pickup from hotels in Miraflores, San Isidro and Barranco.
STEP BY STEP

Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary

Each day has been carefully planned to optimize acclimatization and avoid peak tourist hours.

DAY 01

Miraflores – San Isidro – Historic Center – Plaza Mayor – San Francisco

⛰ 154 m a.s.l. ⏱ Approx. 4 hours ⛺ Return to your hotel

After hotel pickup, we pass El Olivar in San Isidro and Huaca Pucllana on our way to downtown Lima. In the historic center we tour the Plaza Mayor and its main buildings, admire the colonial balconies and visit San Francisco Monastery, its library and catacombs. We head back to Miraflores with a stop at Love Park to enjoy the Pacific Ocean views.

FULL TRANSPARENCY

What's Included in the Expedition

✓

Included Luxury Services

  • Pickup from your hotel in Miraflores, San Isidro or Barranco.
  • Tourist transportation.
  • Licensed tour guide (Spanish / English).
  • Admission to San Francisco Monastery and catacombs.
  • Drop-off at your hotel.
✕

Not Included

  • Admission to Lima Cathedral.
  • Food and drinks.
  • Tips.
CUSTOMIZE YOUR TRIP

Optional Upgrades & Perks

Complement your journey with exclusive comfort experiences and panoramic summits.

Private service (per person)

Your own guide and vehicle with a flexible schedule.

+ $45 USD ≈ S/ 155
WE ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions about Lima City Tour: Colonial and Modern Lima

Which districts do you pick up from?

We pick up from hotels in Miraflores, San Isidro and Barranco. For other districts, please contact us.

Can I go inside Huaca Pucllana?

On the regular tour it’s seen from a panoramic viewpoint. You can tour the inside with a private service or on your own.

Is downtown Lima safe?

The areas we visit are tourist zones with security presence. As in any big city, we recommend keeping an eye on your belongings.